3 days ago
Eat your way around Barcelona! 11 of the city's must-visit eateries, from bocadillos to pintxos
Going to Spain for a long weekend won't solve all of your problems (it's giving pain without the 's', vibes), but that didn't stop me and my best girlfriend, nor you, if you're reading this, from booking a trip to Barcelona on a random Tuesday. Yep, that long-awaited sun-soaked city break has finally arrived, and I'm here to prepare you with an abundance of hotel, activity and food recommendations that'll have you 90 per cent pain-free* – tried and tested by your average 20-something-year-old sangria-fuelled girlie. You can thank me later...
*The remaining 10 per cent of post-holiday agony will be down to European Monzo transactions, FYI.
When it comes to choosing where to stay in Barcelona, you've got options galore; Airbnbs that feel like home and hotels that offer a slice of luxury. But if you're looking to elevate your trip, I experienced the following three-night stay that truly stood out.
Seeking a stylish and indulgent escape (Aren't we all...)? Well, SLS Barcelona is the city's newest five-star hotspot that offers a chic waterfront retreat, seamlessly blending Mediterranean vibes and culinary excellence with Miami design and a luxury flair. Basically, if this hotel were a Hinge date, I'd no doubt swipe right.
Situated at Port Fòrum, the hotel boasts 471 rooms and suites, many featuring private balconies with views of the marina or Mediterranean Sea. Interiors by Rockwell Group combine sleek materials like Venetian mirrors and sculptural lighting, creating a sophisticated ambience.
Rooms aside, with six dining spots, SLS Barcelona is a foodie's dream. Lora serves up Mediterranean dishes cooked over a wood and coal grill, while L'Anxova Divina offers tapas with a Gaudí-inspired twist. And coming soon, they have Kyara, a cocktail bar exploring mixology as an art form, and Cosmico, a rooftop pool bar and club with floating sushi boats and Ibiza-worthy vibes. Oh, and they're not short of amenities, either. Guests can unwind at one of the three pools, including rooftop options with panoramic city views, or enjoy exclusive access to Coral, the guest-only pool bar. Plus, with a 24/7 fitness centre, complimentary bikes, and a forthcoming subterranean spa, SLS Barcelona provides a luxurious base for exploring the city's vibrant culture and nightlife.
Basically, if you don't want to leave the hotel, you don't have to! But if you do want to explore the city, I've got you covered...
Book now
Whether you're looking to indulge in retail therapy at chic boutiques or immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history and culture, Barcelona has a number of specialities waiting for you.
Park Güell is Gaudí's signature, whimsical masterpiece – think pastel-coloured mosaics, curvy stone benches, and panoramic city views that are the epitome of "Instagrammable." It's the perfect spot for a chill day of exploring, snapping pics, and soaking in the surrealist vibes. But be warned: Book in advance and head early to beat the crowds.
For vintage treasures and gourmet street eats (away from tourist traps), Mercat dels Encants is Barcelona's must-visit flea market, blending vintage treasures with modern finds. From retro furniture to quirky fashion, it's a treasure hunt that's both eco-friendly and totally unique. Don't miss the live auctions for some extra thrill.
Spiral through ancient laneways, spot the Cathedral, and cosy up in hidden plazas with a morning trip to the Gothic Quarter. It's packed with hidden squares, independent cafés, and historic landmarks that make you feel like you're stepping back in time.
You can't visit Barcelona without going to El Born (no, seriously, it's pretty unavoidable...). El Born is Barcelona's artsy, boho neighbourhood. Prepare for indie boutiques, art galleries, and street art that give the area its creative edge. It's the perfect place to get lost and discover something new around every corner.
If Parc Güell is a lil out of your budget, or you just don't have the time to spend a day there, some of Gaudí's most renowned architectural genius is on full display around the city – including Casa Batlló and Casa Milà. These buildings are like living art – curvy facades, colourful tiles, and designs that defy convention.
Ocaña is a cultural hotspot in Plaça Reial, offering a mix of art, food, and nightlife. Don't forget to snap a quirky photobooth pic to remember your night out in one of Barcelona's most iconic squares.
Whether you're lounging by a rooftop pool or catching rays at Barceloneta Beach, Barcelona's got your chill time covered. Grab a drink, soak up the sun, and vibe out to the sounds of the city and sea. The SLS Barcelona pool (and its bar) is the place to be.
Barcelona's culinary scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavours, offering everything from traditional tapas to innovative Mediterranean cuisine and world-class wine bars. These spots are basically Barcelona's best mix of iconic, artsy and outright delicious.
The OG tapas spot where you're basically time-travelling back to 1929. Get ready to elbow in beside locals, chug that homemade cava, and snack on anchovies and tortilla like a true Borneño. It's a classic, total vibe.
Enter: Picasso's hangout turned artsy café. Gats has got that vintage Modernisme look plus major Bohemian energy – basically peak Insta meets art history IRL. (The patatas bravas are the best I've ever had, BTW...)
Okay, slight mix-up: you've got Boadas, the slickest cocktail bar since 1933 just off La Rambla. Think mint‑tux bartenders, daiquiris inspired by Havana, and interesting history in every glass.
To brunch with style, La Papa in Eixample is a mood: pastel‑tone interiors, avocado-toast glow‑ups, vegan croissants, açai bowls, and sustainable coffee that's actually worth the queue.
Mercat de la Boqueria is a total bucket‑list foodie destination. The historic Modernista market (dating back to 1217!) is like walking into a sensory overload of vibrant produce, top‑tier seafood, and legendary cured hams under a stunning iron-and-glass canopy.
Benzina in Sant Antoni is a breath of fresh air from the usual Spanish tapas circuit – it's that perfect blend of Italian soul meets rock‑and‑roll swagger. The vibe? Once a mechanic's garage, now a sleek industrial-chic space with vinyl tunes from The Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin. Oh, and the food? Well, each dish flips Italian classics in fun, unexpected ways – spaghetti carbonara, eggplant parmigiana with parmesan ice cream, lobster‑avocado linguine and a viral "sferamisu" that doubles as dessert art.
A speakeasy behind a random bazaar? You bet. Push past the groceries into this moody, neo‑Gothic cocktail cathedral where drinks are art and the vibe hits different, like the sister‑bar to Paradiso, but moodier and more immersive.
I've never been one to fall victim to a restaurant hotel, but Volta is an exception. The setting is the verdant, plant-filled ground floor of Borneta (one of the city's coolest new boutique hotels) beneath the iconic 19th-century arches of Passeig de Picasso, but the menu is even better. Executive Chef Andrea De Benedictis's pan‑Mediterranean dishes (think fire‑grilled tagliolini with clams, cheesy tempura zucchini blossoms, and juicy ossobuco) are as fresh as they come, made with local farm-to-table ingredients and served in a chill space that's cosy but still feels bougie.
Famous for its "cloud sandwiches" on challah, fluffy croissants, avocado‑feta toasts, and top-tier barista coffee, brekkie at Flying Monkey is a failsafe start to any Barca day. Plus, the natural wine selection makes it a go-to for evening aperitivo, too.
Minute‑by‑minute fresh and massive sandwiches, Bo D Be is a hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop that overloads the perfect baguette with your meat/veggie of choice, plus endless toppings (feta, lentils, pesto, tzatziki – no skimps), making each bocadillo feel straight-up custom and enormous. The best bit? It's super affordable; we're talking full meal vibes for €4–6 – sandwiches, bravas, salads.
Pet Nat specialises in "pétillant-naturel" (ancestral method) sparkling wines, bottled mid-fermentation to lock in that natural fizz, turning every glass into a flavourful, lightly effervescent surprise.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from viral celebrity hair and makeup news to the latest trend predictions, she's an expert in recognising the season's next big beauty look (before it ends up all over your social media feeds). You'll usually find her putting TikTok's recent beauty hacks to the Hype Test, challenging the gender-makeup binary and social stereotypes, or fangirling over the time Kourtney Kardashian viewed her Instagram Story (yes, it's true). Find her also on LinkedIn.
